SP softens stand against Beni Prasad's remarks

In an apparent softening of stand on the remarks made by Beni Prasad Verma against Mulayam Singh Yadav, SP parliamentary party slammed the union minister on Thursday, but decided to go slow on the issue following intervention of Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

At the same time, SP continued to keep the government on tenterhooks on its outside support by authorising Yadav to "take any decision on any issue at an appropriate time in the interest of the party".

The government requires the crucial support of SP, which has 22 MPs in Lok Sabha, in the backdrop of DMK pulling out of UPA.

During an hour-long meeting of the parliamentary party, several MPs slammed Verma for his remarks that Yadav takes commission to extend support to UPA.

But Yadav was of the view that since Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh have personally intervened on the issue of Verma's remarks, the party should wait for the outcome.

It was also decided that the party would not create hurdles in the passage of the Appropriation Bill as well as the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill.

"It is our duty also to get the Appropriation Bill passed," Yadav said after the meeting.

The SP chief decided to keep the cards close to the chest when he said that the MPs have authorised him to take any decision on various issues at an appropriate time.

"How can you decide on the time. I will take a decision on various issues when the time comes," Yadav said.